Derrick brace



March 16 1926. 1,57 4.

C. DRAKE DERRICK BRACE Filed May 4, 1925 GHIOZ mu Patented Mar. 16, 1926.

orIanLns DRAKE, or MANNINGFION, wuss. VIRGINIA.

DERRICK'BRACE.

A ncauoamea May 4,

To alt whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CHARLES DRAKE, a citizen of the United States, residing at Mannington, in the county of Marion and State of West Virginia, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Derrick Braces, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to derrick braces, and more particularly to braces adapted to be applied to the legs of a derrick.

An object of the invention is the provision of bracing means that will resist torsional strains on the legs of the derrick.-

A further object is the provision of a brace of extreme simplicity that may be readily applied to derrick legs of different types.

In the accompanying drawings, I have shown one embodiment of the invention. In this showing:

Figure 1 is a front elevation of the lower portion of a derrick showing the invention applied,

Figure 2 is a horizontal sectional view on line 2-2 of Figure 1, and,

Figure 3 is a perspective view of the ends of a pair of cooperating bracing members.

Referring to the drawings, the reference numeral 1 designates the legs of a derrick. For the purpose of illustration, I have shown a derrick formed of tubular members, but the invention is susceptible of use with derricks of any character and in which the legs are formed of any desired cross section. Similarly, the bracing members may be applied to a derrick having any number of legs and the number of braces employed corresponds to the number of legs of the derrick or tower.

Arranged horizontally and extending from one derrick leg to the next, I provide a bracing member 2, having each end of proper size and shape to extend substantially half way around the leg of the derrick. When the derrick is circular in cross section, each end of the brace is provided with a substantially semi-circular portion 3 and beyond the semi-circular portion, I provide an extension t. The extensions 4 are provided with suitable openings 5 for the reception of bolts 6. At the inner end of the semi-circular portion, the brace is flattened,

1925. serial a... 27,973.

as at "7 andis provided with an opening-8 for the receptionof a bolt 9. I

The operation of the device will be ap parent from the foregoing description. The bracing members 2 are placed in position so that the ends of two adjacent members will nearly surround the leg or post and cross each other at the inner ends of the portion 3 arranged around the derrick leg. The bolts 9 are then inserted in the openings 8 to conncct the bracing members to each other and the bolts 6 are then inserted in the openings 5 and tightened. The ends of the two members then serve as a clamp and when each end of each member is so fitted and clampedv to each leg, the brace resists torsional strain on the leg or post and serves to hold the legs or posts in their original position with re spect to each other. 1

It is to be understood that the form of my invention herewith shown and described is to be'taken as a preferred example of the same, and that various changes in the shape, size, and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the subjoined claims.

I claim:

1. In a device of the character described, a horizontallydisposed member adapted to extend from one derrick leg to the adjacent one, said members being provided with portions adapt-ed to partially surround the derrick legs, said members being provided with flattened portions inwardly of said surrounding portions and being further provided with openings in said flattened portions whereby two adjacent members may be secured to each other, and extensions arranged outwardly of said surrounding portions, said extensions being provided with openings for the reception of bolts whereby said surrounding portions may be clamped around the derrick leg.

2. In a device of the character described, a plurality ofhorizontally disposed members each adapted to extend from one derrick leg to another, each end of each of said members being provided with anintegral arcuate portion adapted to partially surround one of the legs, and means for securing the arcuate portions to each other inwardly and outwardly of said arcuate portions.

3. In a device of the character described, a plurality of horizontally disposed members, each adapted to extend from one derrick leg to another, said members being pro vided with integral arcuate extensions adapted to partially surround the derrick leg, said ii'ieinbors being provided with flattened portions inwardly of said surround ing portions, said flattened portions being provided with openings, a bolt passing through said openings, and means for securing the adjacent members to each other outwardly of said extensions.

4. In a device of the character described, a pair of horizontally disposed members an ranged at an angle to each other and cross ing at points spaced from one end thereof, said horizontal members being provided outwardly of their crossing points With integral complementary arcuate portions adapted to form a clamp to receive a derrick leg, and means For securing said members at their crossing point and outwardly of the a rcnate portions.

In testimony whereof, I afiix my signature.

CHARLES DRAKE. 

